The bill amends sections 16-11-2.3 and 16-11-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11, which pertains to the certification of teachers in Rhode Island. The amendments include the insertion of a new provision that extends all current teacher certifications as of July 1, 2024, for an additional three or five years without any fee or penalty. This extension applies to all types of certifications issued by the board of education or the department of education, including emergency certifications with conditions. Additionally, the bill introduces a waiver of all fees for applying for initial teacher certification and for Praxis examination fees for a three-year period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, to promote teacher recruitment.

Further changes include allowing the board of education to issue certificates of qualification without examination to qualified individuals and enabling teachers certified in two science fields to be automatically certified in general science. Teachers with at least three years of certified teaching experience can acquire additional certifications through examination or coursework. The bill also mandates the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education to review and revise its rules and regulations governing licensure to create multiple pathways and flexibility for obtaining teacher or administrator certification, including credit for non-traditional classes and work/life experience. The act will take effect upon passage.